Misty Upham

Native American actress Misty Upham wowed audiences and critics alike as a young mother thrust by financial despair into the dangerous world of illegal immigrant smuggling in "Frozen River" (2008). Th...
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Actress Misty Upham died of injuries to her head and torso, according to a medical examiner. The August: Osage County star was reported missing in October (14) and her body was discovered by a search party in a ravine in Auburn, Washington less than a week later.
The King County Medical Examiner said the 32 year old died on 5 October (14), and officials have now updated the investigation to reveal she died of blunt-force injuries to her head and torso.
The circumstances surrounding her death are still undetermined.
Auburn police believe no foul play was involved, but Upham's father Charles is adamant she did not commit suicide.

Actress Misty Upham has been laid to rest following a memorial service in Washington on Saturday (25Oct14). The August: Osage County star was reported missing earlier this month (Oct14) and her body was discovered in a ravine in Auburn, Washington on 16 October (14).
A funeral service was held at the Muckleshoot Pentecostal Church over the weekend, when Upham's friends and family members gathered to bid a final farewell to the tragic actress.
The 32 year old, who was a member of the Native American Blackfeet Tribe, was honoured with a traditional procession at the start of the ceremony, during which a slideshow of photos from Upham's short life was shown on a big screen.
Guest Cecilia Ann Turner reveals the funeral, although sad, was more of a celebration of her late friend's life, saying, "It was beautiful and amazing. A lot of dancing, singing, and food.

Police in the U.S. have hit back at claims they botched a probe into the disappearance of tragic actress Misty Upham, insisting they acted professionally at all times. The August: Osage County star was found dead in a ravine in Auburn, Washington earlier this month (Oct14), days after she was reported missing.
Her father Charles later blasted local cops over the tragedy, accusing them of bungling their investigation and of ill-treating Upham during previous call-outs in the months leading up to her death.
However, a spokesman for the Auburn Police Department has now hit back, issuing a statement to People.com denying any wrongdoing.
The officers even insist they used cell phone data to try to trace the actress through her phone signal but were unable to locate her.
The statement reads, "Since July of 2013, the Auburn Police Department has responded to five separate incidents involving Ms. Upham. On four of those incidents, she was contacted by officers and she did not object to being transported by private ambulance for further evaluation. On the 5th incident, Misty had already left the residence and officers were unable to locate her. Each contact was handled professionally and with compassion, with the goal of getting Ms. Upham the attention and care she needed...
"There have been no mistreatment complaints received by the Auburn Police Department from Ms. Upham, her family, MultiCare Auburn Medical Center, King County Sheriff's Office, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe or elected officials at the City of Auburn. It has been inferred that she may have suffered a black eye at the hands of police, but that is not correct. Rather, included in a related written report, Ms. Upham stated that she had sustained a sprained ankle and black eye when she jumped out a two-story (sic) window...
"The police did not ignore Ms. Upham's disappearance in this most recent episode. An active search and investigation commenced. On Oct. 6, area checks were done in and around the home where she was last seen. Officers immediately followed up on all reports of her possible whereabouts... The Seattle Police Department also checked an address provided by family, that Ms. Upham and members of her family were known to frequent, all with no success."

Fans gathered near the ravine where Misty Upham's body was found last week (ends16Oct14) to stage a vigil for the tragic actress on Sunday (19Oct14). The August: Osage County star's remains were discovered by a police search team at the bottom of an embankment in Auburn, Washington on Thursday, five days after she was reported missing.
On Sunday, dozens of fans gathered to remember Upham. Her funeral is scheduled for Saturday (25Oct14) at the Muckleshoot Reservation in Auburn.
Her father Charles has dismissed speculation his daughter took her own life, insisting she most likely fell while trying to escape the police officers who were trying to find her.

"Our Dear Misty Upham has died so young. I have thought of her all day. Her poor family. Heartbreak." Ewan Mcgregor pays tribute to his August: Osage County co-star Misty Upham, who was found dead in Auburn, Washington on Thursday (16Oct14).

Actress Misty Upham's father has broken his silence about his daughter's death, insisting she did not commit suicide. The August: Osage County star's body was found in a ravine at the bottom of an embankment in Auburn, Washington on Thursday (16Oct14), five days after she was reported missing.
Initial reports suggested she may have taken her own life, but now her dad Charles has revealed her believes she slipped and fell while trying to hide from police.
In a statement posted on Facebook.com on Friday (17Oct14), he wrote, "She did not commit suicide. We believe she ran into the wooded area behind her apartment to hide from the police. The area in question has a hidden drop off and evidence suggests that she slipped and fell off of the steep embankment when she tried to get out of a view from the road. She simply did not see the drop-off."
Charles Upham revealed his daughter suffered from mental illness and accused local police officials of treating her unfairly.
He added, "Misty was afraid of the Auburn PD officers with good reason. In an incident prior to her disappearance, the Auburn PD came to pick up Misty on an involuntary transport to the ER. She was cuffed and placed in a police car. Some of the officers began to taunt and tease her while she was in the car. Because it was dark they couldn't see that we, her family, were outside our apartment just across the street witnessing this behavior.
"They were tapping on the window making faces at her. Misty was crying and she told them, 'You can't treat me like this. I'm a movie actress and I will use my connections to expose you'. Then another officer walked up to her asked, 'Are you a movie star? Then why don't (you) complain to George Clooney!""
Auburn Police commander Steve Stocker has declined to comment about Charles Upham's accusations, but added, "I had never met Misty or talked to her."
The King County Medical Examiner said the 32 year old died on 5 October (14). Police are still investigating the cause and manner of death.

Juliette Lewis has urged police to launch a murder investigation over the death of her actress pal Misty Upham. The body of the August: Osage County star was found in a ravine in Auburn, Washington on Thursday (16Oct14), five days after she was reported missing.
Officials at the King County Coroner's Office are due to make an announcement about the case on Friday (17Oct14) and a cause of death has not yet been revealed, but Lewis is convinced the tragedy has sinister overtones.
She claims Upham, her co-star in the Oscar-nominated 2013 drama, had previously confided in her about her troubled childhood and had revealed fears for her safety.
In a series of posts on Twitter.com, Lewis writes, "RIPMistyUpham I am in shock and greif (sic). I pray the police do a murder investigation. They're saying not 'foul play' when of course it is... Misty spoke out a lot against injustices within Native (American) community. And had known enemies. Police must do an investigation (sic)."

Officials at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) have honoured late actress Misty Upham for her campaign to stop the abuse of bears in captivity. The August: Osage County star, who suffered from bipolar disorder, was reported missing last week (06Oct14) and confirmed dead after her father identified a body found in a ravine in Auburn, Washington on Thursday (16Oct14).
Upham was a campaigner for the prevention of mistreatment of bears and in January (14), she wrote an open letter to the United States Department of Agriculture calling for a change in the law to protect the animals in captivity.
The actress called the abuse of bears "horrific" and insisted she had a "deep concern for the welfare of all living beings".
PETA's founder, Ingrid E. Newkirk, has now paid tribute to Upham in a statement released to WENN.
It reads, "The world will be a colder place without Misty's warm heart, and she will be sorely missed at PETA. She was extremely kind and cared deeply about animals; constantly calling for protection for the bears suffering in roadside zoos on tribal land, a call we will carry forward in her honour. It's a tragedy whenever anyone dies before their time, but Misty Upham was a friend to us and to animals everywhere."
Officials at the King County Coroner's Office in Washington are due to make an announcement about Upham's case on Friday (17Oct14). A cause of death has not yet been revealed.

Stars including Meryl Streep and Juliette Lewis have paid tribute to actress Misty Upham, who was confirmed dead on Thursday (16Oct14). The 32 year old was reported missing on 11 October (14) and her body was discovered by her uncle in a ravine in Auburn, Washington on Thursday. Her identity was confirmed by her father Charles.
Streep, who worked alongside Upham in Oscar-nominated movie August: Osage County, wrote in a message to The Hollywood Reporter, "So so sad to hear this news - all our thoughts are with her family and with her beautiful spirit."
Lewis, who also starred in the family drama, posted a picture of herself posing with Upham on Instagram.com and wrote in the caption, "Misty Upham survived many things that many don't early on in life. She fought for the voiceless fiercely. She understood suffering and the deepest pain. She had a presence everyone saw and felt. It is this presence that will continue. Out of the dark space in which her light got dimmed. I will remember her as tuff (tough). Wise. Funny. Spiritual. And hopeful. This is another great reminder to call and check on someone when you think to. Not when its too late. RIPMistyUpham."
Upham's Frozen River co-star Melissa Leo adds in a statement, "Such a loss... so sad, so so sad."
The King County Coroner's Office is set to make an official statement on Friday (17Oct14).
Upham's cause of death has not yet been determined.

A body found in Washington on Thursday (16Oct14) has been identified as actress Misty Upham. The August: Osage County star was reported missing last week (06Oct14), and a body was discovered by Upham's uncle Robert in a ravine in Auburn, Washington on Thursday afternoon, three days after he started a search party with two pals.
Charles Upham, Misty's father, confirmed the 32 year old's identity to the authorities.
The actress' friend and filmmaker Tracy Rector tells The Hollywood Reporter, "We waited at the site where the team found the body... It took about five-and-a-half hours to confirm. Then we gathered around her body to say prayers and now we're all gathered at the church."
The King County Coroner's Office will make an official statement on Friday (17Oct14).
Upham's cause of death has not yet been determined.

Title

Featured in the adaptation of Tony Hillerman’s mystery novel "Skinwalkers"

Nominated for the 2008 Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female ("Frozen River")

First portrayed Lila in Courtney Hunt’s short film, "Frozen River"

Reprised the role of Lila, a young Mohawk mother in Courtney Hunt’s feature-length version of "Frozen River"

Appeared in the ABC TV movie, "DreamKeeper"

Performed with the Native American theater group, Red Eagle Soaring

Cast as a member of a Native American high school basketball team in the Showtime movie, "Edge of America"

First spotted while performing at the Nippon Kan Theater in Seattle

Made her feature debut in Chris Eyre’s Native American drama, "Skins"

Summary

Native American actress Misty Upham wowed audiences and critics alike as a young mother thrust by financial despair into the dangerous world of illegal immigrant smuggling in "Frozen River" (2008). The tense independent drama was the high point of her relatively brief career, which up until that point was largely comprised of supporting roles in Native American-themed television movies like "Skinwalkers" (PBS, 2002) and the occasional independent feature by director Chris Eyre. But her nuanced performance in "Frozen River" helped to thrust her into the spotlight and paved the way for what appeared to be a promising career in features. Sadly, Upham died under mysterious circumstances before that promise could be fulfilled, her body found at the bottom of a 150-foot ravine nearly two weeks after she disappeared on October 5, 2014.